House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and House party leadership confronted Attorney General Eric Holder for not cooperating with the investigation into Operation Fast and Furious in a letter today.
The letter — signed by Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chair Darrell Issa, R-Calif., — increases the likelihood that House Republicans will pursue contempt charges against Holder if he does not turn over documents pertaining to the gunwalking scheme.
Recommended Stories
“As co-equal branches of the U.S. Government, the relationship between the Legislative and Executive branches must be predicated on honest communications and cannot be clouded by allegations of obstruction,” the House leaders wrote. “If necessary, the House will act to fulfill our Constitutional obligations in the coming weeks.”
Boehner demanded that Holder reveal who planned Operation Fast and Furious, which resulted in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, who was shot by a drug smuggler armed with an assault rifle purchased through Fast and Furious.
“[T]wo key questions remain unanswered: first, who on your leadership team was informed of the reckless tactics used in Fast & Furious prior to Agent Terry’s murder; and, second, did your leadership team mislead or misinform Congress in response to a Congressional subpoena?” they asked Holder.
The Department of Justice maintains that Holder “extraordinary lengths . . .to respond to the Committee’s requests.”
